The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Resist US Pressure
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemns the statement by US President Donald Trump threatening to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. He also wants India to downgrade its relations with Russia and stop buying oil from it. The Government of India must stand firm against such measures and safeguard the interests of the Indian people.
The US President has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs unless India opens its agriculture, dairy, pharmaceutical, and other sectors to exploitation by US corporations. In order to appease the US government, the Indian government has already entered into defence and oil deals with the United States, agreeing to purchase arms and oil worth billions of dollars. Now, the US is demanding even more concessions.
The CPI(M) urges the Indian government not to succumb to US pressure or allow the Indian economy and markets to be opened to exploitation by the US, which would be detrimental to Indian industry and agriculture. The people of India expect the BJP-led government to assert its sovereignty and stand firm against US bullying tactics.